Okay, so it's been a little while. I have a completely legit excuse--namely, a near-death experience at camp: falling three feet and landing on my head, on a rock--so I feel no guilt. The good news is, it made my day to get back from 2 weeks in the woods to find all the reviews. Thanks to everyone who wrote one! ;)
Anyway, here's what you really want to read (hopefully): chapter 1 of Kashyyyk...
Disclaimer: don't own anything
Corrupt: morally twisted, depraved; tainted
"Who the hell is firing on my ship?"
Ashi stumbled into the cockpit and glared fiercely at Carth and Bastila, demanding an answer. The glare was mostly directed at him—their argument was hardly forgotten—and he didn't meet her gaze as he answered.
"Squadron of Sith fighters, coming in hard." His hands flew over the controls, a vain attempt to stabilize the ship. "I've got to get the hyperspace coordinates in. We need someone on the blaster turrets."
There was a pause, and then Ashi sighed.
"Yes, I'll do it. You're welcome," she muttered, and hurried out, swearing as the jolt of blaster fire sent the ship careening to the side. She slipped into the gun seat and pulled on the vision goggles, flipping them to heat sensitive; six red spots, the fiery engines of the fighters, appeared in her line of vision. A glare spread across her face as one fighter wheeled and flew overhead, firing on the top of the Ebon Hawk. Spinning and locking onto the ship, she fired off several shots, and the Sith exploded in a blaze of fire and shrapnel.
She grinned, satisfied, but it was short-lived. An unexpected burst of static from the comm filled her ears. "What, Carth? Better be important."
"What planet?" he asked.
"Come again?"
"What planet are we going to?" he repeated, slightly more impatiently.
"Figure it out, can't you? I'm a little busy." As if to accentuate her point, she caught a third ship in her fire, and it blew up in an especially large explosion. The next second, there was a rush of static and a couple thumps, and then a different voice, accented and preachy, came over the comm. Ashi rolled her eyes.
"We need to get the hyperspace coordinates in," said Bastila, speaking very slowly. "Which planet do we go to?"
"I don't know!" Ashi exclaimed, flinching as a Sith fired; the red bolts hit the top of the ship, narrowly missing her. She spun in her seat, but couldn't get a lock on the offending fighter; this pilot was better than the idiots she had been dealing with a moment ago. She swore at him. "Uh… Kashyyyk. We're going to Kashyyyk."
She could almost see the brat frowning upon her hasty choice, but as she tried to object, Ashi cut her off. "We're going to Kashyyyk," she insisted, and her tone told Bastila not to argue. The Jedi murmured an agreement, and Ashi refocused her attention on the fighters. The remaining two were obviously the only ones with any skill, but skill made people cocky—she would know. A grin crept onto her face. They had both gotten careless, and it wasn't hard to trick one and then shoot down the other. She picked up the communicator and called, unable to keep a note of satisfaction out of her voice, "Got 'em. Ready to go hyperspace whenever you are."
The next second, Carth replied by flipping the final switch, and the stars around her blurred as it moved into a speed no ship in the galaxy could supposedly match. Ashi stood and climbed out of the turret, turning for the cockpit, but with no warning, her head spun suddenly. The ground suddenly tilted under her, and everything went dark…
She was in a small ship, the size of an escape pod, if more maneuverable. Mandalorian and Republic fighters alike swarmed around. With a jolt, she concluded that she was in the middle of an inter-space dogfight, and she seemed to be a Republic ship. Not exactly Ashi's home turf, but Red wasn't worried. Wheeling, she locked onto a fighter behind her and shot it down in a single blast. More Mandalorians tried to follow her, but she blasted them away, unworried. The next moment, she spoke sharply into a comm headset.
"Formation alpha, green squadron," she instructed. "Blue squadron, hang back and look for openings. If you see one, take it. Red squadron, follow my lead."
Ashi only had time to register puzzlement and dry humor—very clever; Red squadron—before the scene changed. Suddenly she was getting out of her ship and striding out of the hangar amidst a crowd of Republic soldiers, all of them staring at her and whispering in an awed sort of way. She heard one of them murmur, "Damn, did you see her fly?"
She moved through the crowd, not needing to shove: they parted in front of her. And then suddenly Alek was there. Seeing him made Red's face light up into a grin, and even Ashi couldn't help relief at something familiar. He smiled at her, slipping one of his hands into hers and caressing her cheek lightly with the thumb of the other.
"Nice flying there, love," he murmured, and she felt a small cut on her face vanish with a light tingle as he ran his fingertips over it. She nodded, and smiled up at him, an extremely satisfied expression that he mirrored.
"It has begun," she said, and then the setting blurred and faded to black…
Her eyes flicked open. She was leaning against the wall, head spinning, but it seemed nothing had happened. In fact, the visions were beginning to feel almost routine—even if that probably wasn't a good thing.
Well. She couldn't do anything about it anyway, and if she was going to have sudden visions, she might as well be lying down. Ashi made her way to the sleeping quarters, but to her disappointment, she wasn't about to get any rest. Bastila was there as well, and as Ashi came in, she asked, "Ashi? Could I ask you a few questions?"
Ashi was immediately suspicious. "What kind of questions?"
"Nothing intrusive, don't worry. Just a few simple questions to get to know you better." Ashi's eyes narrowed skeptically; she doubted that Bastila had just decided that they should be friends. Still, she said nothing, and the Jedi took it as a yes. "Very well. Where are you from?"
"Deralia," Ashi said, without looking at her. "It's in a remote system." Most people hadn't heard of her planet, small and remote as it was, but Ashi had vague memories of it—vague, of course, being the key word. She hadn't lived there long; the Mandalorians had attacked it at the beginning of the war, when she was younger than Mission was now. That had been about when she had decided to make a run for it, and fled to a nearby city planet, a would-be Nar Shaddaa where her childhood had ended with the beginning of her smuggling career.
But she wasn't going to tell the brat all that, so she added simply, "But I didn't live there very long."
Bastila nodded mysteriously, trying to look wise, and at least succeeding in looking thoughtful. "What is your position with the Republic fleet?"
"Not in it. I'm a freelance transporter of prohibited goods."
"A smuggler," Bastila corrected with a frown.
Ashi shook her head. "No, that makes me sound like a criminal."
"But you are!" Bastila objected.
"Criminals are bad. I'm a relatively good person with moral deficiencies."
Ashi said this so firmly that it almost sounded believable. Bastila paused a moment to look unconvinced, and then continued. "And how old are you?"
"3258," replied Ashi immediately. "Healthy living, you know." There was a pause, and then she sighed. "You have no sense of humor. Twenty-eight. Wasn't that on my service records?"
Bastila bit her lip. "Um… well, yes. All of this was, in fact. I was more interested in how you would answer."
"Yeah?" Ashi raised her eyebrows. "Find out anything interesting, princess?"
Bastila paused. What she had in fact found out was that Ashi sincerely believed the memories they had given her, but she wasn't going to tell her that. "Well, you were honest, which is good. And… you answered them seriously, which is good as well. You treated this like the serious matter it is."
Ashi stared. "Serious? Space, brat, you must be rubbing off on me. Serious…" She shook her head, and then rolled over. Bastila could take a hint, and kept quiet, letting Ashi finally fall asleep.
Malak entered the bridge of his ship with a scowl on his gray face. His storming walk, combined with his cape flying dramatically, incited flinches from the officers; he noted that with smugness, but it was overshadowed by his annoyance. Over two months, and still no word of the Jedi brat. He suspected she and her crew had fled to Dantooine, but he'd be damned if he could attack them there. And yet she had to leave at some time… but when?
He was interrupted from his thoughts by a slight cough from his admiral. He gave Saul a small glance of acknowledgement, a glare that clearly demanded, what? Saul spoke nervously.
"Lord Malak, the Star Forge is operating at 200% capacity—far beyond out expectations."
Malak nodded briskly. This was, after all, good, but he couldn't find as much interest in it as in Bastila. Besides, the Star Forge, his master weapon he had found with Revan, still brought back memories, some of them painful. He shook his head sharply—such thoughts were unfitting for a Sith Lord—and then returned his gaze to Saul.
"I am more interested in the Jedi, Bastila," he said, his voice carrying an edge. "Has there been any word of her?"
The nervous expression on Saul's face brightened slightly, evidently at the thought of having news to give at last. "Lord Malak, we have heard about her. An informant who saw Bastila Shan on Taris was able to identify her companions for us as well. She was accompanied by Carth Onasi, a decorated war hero for the Republic."
His voice grew imperceptibly pained as he spoke of Carth. He had been a good soldier, and Saul had been fond of him, in his own way. It had been difficult when Carth had refused to join him, back when he first turned to side with Revan. If only the damn boy had come along, there might not have been so much trouble with Telos, and they certainly would have won more of the battles.
Malak caught the mixed resentfulness and nostalgia in Saul's tone. "You knew this man?"
Saul's eyes widened, and he backtracked carefully. "He served under me during the Mandalorian Wars. I was something of a mentor to him." Malak looked appeased, and Saul switched topics quickly, before he said something stupid. "He is a determined soldier and a good fighter. It would explain much of Bastila's success to be traveling with such a man." The Sith Lord, who had been surveying the bridge and the view of the galaxy through the window, nodded thoughtfully.
"Yes, it would," he agreed, but he still sounded skeptical. It would have been near impossible to get off Taris, and somehow, he didn't think Bastila had only had Onasi. "Who was this informant, Admiral?"
Saul gestured to one of the doors leading to the bridge, and it opened. A small man, dressing in blue and wearing a distinctive white hat, entered. He was made to look more dangerous that he might first appear, however, by the many guns and explosives he carried. Malak turned to face him, his eyebrows raised in vague curiosity.
"This is Calo Nord," said Saul, and the man in blue bowed. "He is an esteemed bounty hunter, and he saw the group while they were on Taris. We have… we have hired him to hunt down Bastila for us. Alive. I have instructed him not to be so careful with her companions."
"Indeed." Malak appraised the man aloofly. "And may I ask how he managed to escape the Taris bombing?" Massacre, they all thought, though the word went unsaid.
Calo smirked. "With all due respect, Lord Malak, I'm difficult to kill."
Slowly, Malak smiled. "I think Mr. Nord appears to be exactly what we need," he said to Saul, by ways of congratulations, and the admiral breathed an inner sigh of relief. His relief was short-lived, however, when he realized this meant he now had to give Malak the other news.
"My Lord Malak," he said carefully, "there is one more thing. Might we have a word away from the ears of the common soldiers?" He glanced around, implying all the Sith officers surrounding them who were trying to eavesdrop without looking like it.
Malak frowned. "I trust you are not wasting my time, Admiral."
Saul shook his head emphatically. "I think you will be very interested in what Nord has to tell us of Bastila's other companion."
They retreated to a different room, and bitterly, Calo Nord described the girl they had seen with Bastila, who had been involved in so many of the events on Taris. Throughout the story, Malak's half-metal face remained impassive, but his fingers tightened on the arm of his chair as the bounty hunter spoke, the knuckles whitening—the only visible sign of his shock. When Calo had finished, Malak quickly dismissed both of them, waving them out of the room so he could think.
It had to be. That would, of course, explain all their success on Taris, for there was no one who had ever been able to stand in her way. He would have liked to doubt it, to deny it, but Nord's description had been perfect. The hair, especially—he had never met anyone with hair quite like hers.
But she was calling herself Ashi now, and traveling with Bastila and a Republic hero… what might it all mean? A clever scheme on her part, like she had always seemed to have up her sleeve? Or had the Jedi succeeded in redeeming her? As they might call it, anyway—it was no redemption if she remembered the dark side no longer.
He smiled. He didn't care how dangerous Calo Nord might be; the bounty hunter stood no chance against her. But Malak would let him go… and he would follow her, and figure out what she was up to.
Leaning back, he closed his eyes, and spoke quietly to a nonexistent person.
"I've missed you, Revan."
The trip to Kashyyyk was fairly boring. Ashi was still angry with Carth and generally annoyed to Bastila, so she spent most of her time with Canderous. He was good company: eager to hear the story of the hive kinrath, and happy to practice sparring with her when there was free time. Carth didn't seem to approve of her spending so much time with the mercenary, but Ashi counted this as a perk. As far as she was concerned, Canderous was a friend, the kind she wouldn't have had since her solo career began. She enjoyed having him around—it was refreshing talking to someone straightforward.
Ashi also made an effort to try to talk to Juhani. The Cathar was incredibly sheepish after having attacked her in the grove on Dantooine, and no amount of Ashi telling her that it wasn't a big deal would ease the feeling. Ashi didn't consider herself very good at comforting people, but she made a half-attempt with Juhani. And, if nothing else, the Jedi was funny to have around, since she had absolutely no concept of sarcasm, albeit a temper remarkably like Ashi's.
They arrived at Kashyyyk the morning of the fourth day; Ashi was jarred from her sleep by the shudder as they entered the atmosphere. She frowned as she got out of bed and dressed; she had had an odd dream, and she suspected Bastila would want to talk about it.
She was right. The Jedi was waiting in the main room, and as Ashi walked in, still half-asleep, she leapt into action. "The Force has given us another vision," she said, and Ashi rolled her eyes.
"You saw it too, then?" She was referring to the dream they had both had, of the Star Map appearing in the dark forest. Bastila nodded. "It looked like it was on the forest floor," she continued slowly. "You think we'll have to go down into the Shadowlands?"
"Perhaps. Who knows," replied Bastila, which Ashi assumed was her way of saying, "Yes, you're right." She nodded and left the room, looking for a Wookiee. She found him quickly, following the smell.
"Hey, Z," she called, and he glanced up. "Want to help me out with this one?"
Zaalbar gazed down at her, looking reluctant. /I am not sure. I… I should not be here. I was exiled from Kashyyyk a long time ago; I was told never to return./
Ashi frowned. "Key phrase, 'a long time ago', though, right? Won't they let bygones be bygones or something?"
He paused, and then said slowly /I will come with you as a guide, because you ask. But… no. I am not sure I can tell you/ he said, his tone apologetic but set.
Ashi hesitated, debating trying to pry, and then shrugged. "Okay, Z. I'll let you be."
As soon as the ship was on the ground, Ashi was out the door, with Canderous at her heels and Zaalbar and Bastila trailing unenthusiastically behind. However, they had hardly stepped onto the shiny new platform that, incidentally, clashed horribly with the surrounding forest, when an Ithorian approached, wearing the Czerka colors and holding a clipboard.
/Hello, prospective customer, and welcome to Edean. I'm pleased to welcome you to this planet, although/ and here he paused and consulted his clipboard, /as your ship is not on our list of planned visitors, there will be a small docking fee of 100 credits./
Ashi frowned. "What's Edean? This is Kashyyyk."
The Ithorian shook his head. /That is the name the… locals call it by, this is true, but we decided that it would sound more welcoming to customers if it was renamed in a more pleasing name than the local animals have given it./
Zaalbar growled; it could not be said if it was at the word animals or just at Czerka in general. /Have they no respect for my people?/
"Chill, Z," she said quickly. /I know he's filth. Ignore him./ The Wookiee nodded reluctantly, and the Ithorian cleared his throat.
/About that docking fee…/
Ashi smiled persuasively. "I don't really need to pay it, do I? I mean, if I don't, I'll just spend the money in your stores, right?" The alien nodded slowly, marveling at her impeccable logic. No one but Bastila saw the small twitch of her wrist that indicated a subtle use of the Force. She glared disapprovingly as the Czerka representative said a dazed goodbye, and then burst out talking as soon as he had left.
"That was a shameful act for a Jedi!" she exclaimed, and Ashi stared innocently. "You can't use the Force to avoid paying simple debts to people!"
"Well, what about Czerka slavers? Can I use it on them?"
That stopped Bastila in her tracks. "Slavers?"
Ashi snorted. "You'll see."
And Bastila did see, as they approached the gateway to the non-Czerka part of Kashyyyk. The guard ignored them, until Ashi made to open the huge wooden door. "Hey, you! You can't go through there!"
"Why not?"
He frowned in clear bewilderment, and paused for a moment, obviously not having anticipated an objection. "You're not Czerka," he decided finally. "So you're not allowed through. It's only Czerka representatives."
Zaalbar snarled. /Representatives, they say? He lies. They're slavers, they take my people and sell them into slavery!/
Even the guard could figure out he was angry. "Hey, keep your pet on a leash, sweetheart," he muttered.
"He's not a pet," Ashi snapped, "and I'm not a slaver, you idiot. It's called a lifedebt, though I doubt you've heard of it."
The guard laughed. "Oh, great—we got ourselves a Wookiee-lover. Nice, how you've found a way to make yourself so high and mighty. Lifedebt…" He snorted contemptuously.
/He slanders my lifedebt!/ roared Zaalbar, just as Ashi exclaimed, "You think I'm a filthy slaver like you? Do you want to repeat that, you Czerka rat?" She reached for her lightsaber.
"Don't!" Bastila shouted, grabbing Ashi's arm. Zaalbar and Canderous both looked disappointed, and the Mandalorian lowered his blaster sullenly.
Ashi shook off the Jedi, pulling out her lightsaber. "I won't," she replied, "if he lets me through right now and makes an attempt at growing a couple brain cells while I'm gone." The man looked about to object, but her ferocious expression stopped him.
"Fine," he muttered, stepping to the side. "But do us all a favor and get yourself killed by something out there, yeah, sweetheart?"
Ashi brushed his comment off and shoved open the gate. "Nice to meet you, too," she called back, as it slammed shut behind them. Canderous looked entertained.
"You just make friends wherever you go, don't you?"
"Until the galaxy runs out of people," grinned Ashi, setting off down the walkway.
They were now really in Kashyyyk, and it was immediately obvious. They could hear from all around the calls and chirps from the different animals. Wroshyr trees, miles high, surrounded them, fading from towering canopies of sun-speckled green to murky darkness at the bottom.
"Shadowlands," Ashi murmured as she glanced down. "The forest floor. I'd bet money that the map's there, brat. And there's lots of things to kill there, Ordo." They both nodded, one looking apprehensive and one pleased as he rested his hand on his huge blaster.
As it turned out, though, there was quite a lot to kill on the Great Walkway. It was invaded by swarms of kinrath that Ashi attacked with vindictive enthusiasm—evidently with the hive kinrath in mind. They also ran into a team of Dark Jedi, who didn't last very long past "Lord Malak was most displeased…" At that point, Ashi replied, "Yeah? Let's see how much this pleases him," and sent him flying off the walkway edge.
That wasn't the only less than desirable sight they came across. Around one corner, they found three men in Czerka uniforms, with a Wookiee corpse at their feet. One man was moaning in distress, but he didn't seem concerned about the Wookiee, so to speak. "This isn't good!" he groaned. "I can't afford this."
"You think I can?" his companion demanded. "Do you know what they get for a healthy one of these things?"
Slavers, Ashi realized. It didn't take a genius to work out what had happened.
"We'll work it out later," cut in a man in a light green uniform. "We've got company." He turned to Ashi. "What do you want, spacer? I'm Patrol Captain Denham, and you're interrupting Czerka Corporation business."
Ashi crossed her arms as she surveyed the scene. "Uh-huh. What happened here?"
He shrugged calmly. "This Wookiee slave got a little… rebellious. We had to put it down."
/You put it down?/ Zaalbar exploded. /We're not animals!/
"Do you realize what you've done?" Ashi demanded, voicing his anger. "That was a sentient creature! You just murdered it!"
"Calm down," snapped the man. "It was only a slave—you have one too. Nice specimen," he added appreciatively, scrutinizing Zaalbar. "How much did you pay for that one?"
Ashi grinned suddenly. It was not a cheerful grin; conversely, it made the men suddenly very nervous. "He wasn't expensive," she replied slowly, "but that one's going to be." She gestured at the Wookiee on the ground. "Because you're going to pay for that with your lives."
"What the…?" the captain blustered. "Blasters ready, men. These fools want to die!"
But for his arrogance, he was no fighter, and Ashi, Zaalbar, and Canderous had taken down the group within a minute. Bastila was busy looking annoyed. "You can't go killing people everywhere you see," she said with irritation. "Even if they are slavers."
Ashi rolled her eyes. "Watch me," she said flippantly, heading away.
They found the entrance to the Shadowlands, but annoying, a Wookiee was busy guarding it. /None can pass!/ he growled as they neared. /Unless you have permission from Chuundar, human, and I doubt that./
Zaalbar looked shocked at the name. /Chuundar? Why do they need his permission?/
The other Wookiee looked over at him, and then shook his furry head in shock. /Much has changed since you were last here, madclaw. Chuundar is the chieftain now. Perhaps you would know that if you were not in exile/ he added pointedly.
/I have sworn a lifedebt to this human. I will follow her wherever she may go./
The guard Wookiee shrugged. /Regardless, you must still go to Chuundar first. Although I don't know how glad he'll be to see you, madclaw. Go, human/ he said, waving a bowcaster, and Ashi nodded and backed away enough to appease him, before turning, glaring, to Zaalbar.
"What didn't you tell me?"
Zaalbar shook his head miserably. /I should not be here. When I left Kashyyyk last time, I was told never to return./
"Yeah, yeah; how tragic. Why, Zaalbar?"
He sighed. /Chuundar… he is my brother. Last time I was here, I found out he was dealing with slavers. I was so angry… I attacked him. With my claws/ he finished, staring down at his hands in shame.
"And am I to take it this is a big deal?"
Zaalbar shook his head despairingly. /You don't understand. To attack with my claws… we use our claws as tools. To use them instead as weapons… it is to become an animal. If we fight with our claws, we become what Czerka believes we are: no longer sentient creatures, but beasts. Do you understand now?/ he asked, and Ashi slowly nodded. /I lost my honor when I attacked my brother like that. Nothing will make up for it, nothing./
Oh. "Damn. That might complicate things." She paused, and then added, "So they're not likely to forgive and forget?"
Zaalbar shook his shaggy head, and she shrugged. "Worth a try. But, Zaalbar… we need to get to the Map somehow. If it's in the Shadowlands, the only way we'll get to it is by getting Wookiee permission. We have to see Chuundar." She hesitated. "Can you lead us to him?"
Slowly, Zaalbar nodded. /Yes. I can do that./
The first they saw of Rwookrrorro was a large gate in the walkway, guarded by an armed Wookiee. He stared skeptically at Ashi, who was in the lead. /You are not one of the Czerka. Why are you here, human? And why have you brought this traitor back?/ he added angrily, as he recognized Zaalbar.
Ashi grimaced. "Uh-oh."
The Wookiee beckoned them forward. /Come on/ he growled. /You had better come and see Chuundar./
Zaalbar moaned. /This is bad. Chuundar won't be happy to see me, Ashi. I'm not supposed to be here. I should never have come!/
Ashi, who couldn't be bothered to be nice, looked over and replied, "Shut up, Zaalbar." He stopped whimpering, although he gave her what looked like a reproachful glance, which she ignored. Turning to the other Wookiee, she straightened in a dignified way, and replied, "Very well. Take us to Chuundar."
The residents of Rwookrrorro stared as they were marched through the village. At first, it was at Ashi and her friends, but slowly their gazes moved to Zaalbar, as one by one they realized who he was. He hung his head, unable to meet their withering glares, but Ashi stared back, trying to look braver than she felt.
Finally, they reached the chieftain's hall. Ashi was immediately surprised by the amount of extravagancies. There were carpets and human-made chairs, as well as men in the green and orange of Czerka in the corners, all carrying blasters. Ashi glared at the one with his gun trained on her, and though he didn't lower it, he winced visibly.
Luckily for him, her attention was diverted when a large black Wookiee rose from a chair at the end of the hall, and made his way towards them. All the Wookiees in the room bowed, and Ashi found herself thrust roughly to her knees by the Wookiee guard behind her. The floor was hard, and a jolt of pain rushed through her kneecaps.
"Fracking hell," she hissed, but he growled threateningly, his claws digging into her wrists, and she fell silent.
/What have we here?/ Chuundar wondered aloud, looking at Zaalbar with an expression between amusement and hatred. /You return, brother? Have you lost not only your honor, but also your respect for our laws, madclaw?/
Zaalbar snarled under his breath; it was a deep and fearsome sound, full of fury. Chuundar barked out a mocking laugh, and then turned to look at the two humans and the Mandalorian. /And who are your companions, madclaw?/
Ashi, to her credit, grinned. "Hi," she said brightly. "You must be Chuundar. I've heard a lot about you." She glanced around at the room, still smiling. "I'd wave or something, but I think your guard'll kill me if I move." She paused, and then added, with just a hint of sarcasm, "If your sniper doesn't get me first." With a jerk of her head, she indicated the nervous-looking Czerka man. He flushed, brandishing his blaster in a nonthreatening sort of way.
Chuundar was not amused. /Who are you, human? Why are you travelling with my exiled brother?/
She pursed her lips. "I'm Ashi Lucas. And we're busy trying to save the galaxy right now, and it's a little hard to explain, but I need to go visit the Shadowlands. Can I do that?"
Chuundar seemed pleased at being asked permission; he stroked his chin in mock contemplation. /I don't know. What is there for me, human, in letting you go explore the most sacred lands of our planet?/
Ashi found the use of sacred slight overkill, but the other Wookiees seemed to like Chuundar's show of defending Kashyyyk. There were several barks of approval from the guards lining the walls, and Ashi rolled her eyes.
"Because we're trying to save the galaxy, remember? So in the end, helping us helps you. Unless you plan on not being conquered by Malak and his army of doom—and how're you going to manage that?" she challenged. "Gonna have Czerka over there fight them off?" She gestured again at the man, who was looking very worried at all the attention.
Chuundar looked at her for a long moment, and then walked slowly closer. Ashi had not been allowed to get up; she stared up at him with all the dignity she could muster, but he still towered over her. The effect was, altogether, terrifying.
/You're cocky, human/ he growled softly. /Didn't anyone ever teach you some respect?/
"You can try, but I doubt it'll work," Ashi replied evenly. Her eyes flashed as she spoke. "I'm not good at being told what to do."
Chuundar paused, and then jerked his head upward. Ashi was yanked to her feet from behind by the guard—an experience that left her shoulders screaming in protest—and stumbled as she found her footing. Slowly and deliberately, Chuundar reached up a clawed hand, placing a fingertip under Ashi's chin. She suppressed a shiver as she felt the point dig into the soft skin of her neck.
The Wookiee leaned in closer. /I could kill you in an instant/ he breathed. /One easy motion, and you would be dead, human. Perhaps you would be wise to learn some respect. Perhaps this lesson would stay./
/No!/
Zaalbar was jerked back as he leapt to his feet, but his guard struggled to restrain him. /Don't!/
Chuundar pulled back to look at him and smiled; his teeth were yellowed but very sharp. /And why would you care, madclaw? Why does it matter to you, the fate of one human…?/
Then a spark of realization lit in his eyes, and he barked with sudden laughter. /Oh, Zaalbar! You've sworn a lifedebt! This is rich./ He turned back to Ashi. /Do you understand the lifedebt, human?/ he asked, and she nodded defiantly. /Then do you know it is based on honor?/ He broke off to laugh mockingly again. /How much is that worth, then, the lifedebt of one with no honor?/
Zaalbar strained against the guard's iron grip. /He disrespects my lifedebt! My honor!/
/What honor?/ scoffed Chuundar.
Ashi, sensing an oncoming, cleared her throat loudly. Both Chuundar and Zaalbar froze, turning to look at her. "I'm, uh, sorry about not respecting you," she said quickly. "So, do you think we can go to the Shadowlands, or…"
Chuundar paused. He seemed rather pleased at having so much power over her with his decision. Stroking his chin with a paw, he replied /Perhaps, if you address me correctly first, human./
"Correctly?"
He smirked. /The mighty Chuundar./
Zaalbar grunted incredulously. /Mighty? You were the runt!/ Ashi bit her lip to hide a grin, and Chuundar whirled back to his brother again.
/Silence! That was long ago!/ he snapped, loosing some of his cool as he scrambled for excuses. /Better than a madclaw with no honor, anyway!/
/You lost your honor long before me, you slaver!/
Chuundar froze. All the other Wookiees in the room had gone silent, and a few were glancing back at the Czerka men as they considered Zaalbar's accusation. The chieftain growled.
/Out! All Wookiees, out; I must speak with the madclaw alone./ Uncertainly, his Wookiees left. As soon as they were gone, Chuundar laced his fingers behind his back, and began to pace in front of them.
/Here we are again, brother/ he said wryly. /You, well meaning but stupid. Me, looking to the future. And I assume you remember what happened last time/ he added, glancing meaningfully at Zaalbar's claws. /There is danger in your words, Zaalbar; you endanger the future of Kashyyyk. I have sacrificed some things to give the others what they think is their freedom. And now we are all happy./
Zaalbar roared, baring his teeth. /Except the ones who are enslaved! You are disgracing the name of Kashyyyk!/
Chuundar smiled. /But I am chieftain, brother. There is nothing you can do to stop me. My power is absolute./
His brother paused, but then shook his head suddenly. /No, it's not. There's still someone who can stop you./
"Yeah!" Ashi chimed in, rather unexpectedly. Zaalbar didn't bother to hide his surprise. "How's it feel to know we've got an ace in the hole, Chuundar? You're not so powerful after all."
But Chuundar snorted. /Do not speak of what you do not know, human. He means our father, Freyyr. And he has been banished for many years as well./ He paused, and then sighed.
/It complicates things, brother, your return. You are too much of a threat to this arrangement I've worked out./ Zaalbar looked unconvinced, but Chuundar shook his head. /No, no, no, brother. You see, this agreement with Czerka is precarious. And if you come in, barking about slavers and corruption, it stirs up trouble./
The black Wookiee stopped pacing, and his tone shifted slightly, gaining a razor edge. /You understand, I'm sure, that I don't want trouble. So, what to do with you, to stop you spreading your rumors?/
Ashi frowned. "Look, we need to go to the Shadowlands. And if you let us do that then we'll go, and we won't bother you anymore, okay?" A quick glance from her to Zaalbar reassured him that they weren't going to condone slavery, and he nodded reluctantly. Chuundar contemplated this slowly.
/Very well/ he said finally. /You can go visit the Shadowlands, on one condition./
"I'm listening."
/There is a mad Wookiee in the Shadowlands who has been causing some trouble to the Czerka groups who go down there. You may go down, but I don't want you to come back here without having killed him./ The Wookiee smiled wickedly. /And to ensure you return, I think I'll keep your friends here./ He gestured at Canderous, Bastila, and Zaalbar, all of who objected immediately and loudly.
"Isn't my word good enough?" she protested. "I need them!"
Chuundar growled. /You are human. Your word is never good enough. You may bring… one of them./ He paused, and then added /Not Zaalbar. I won't have him stirring up more of his trouble. But you may choose one of your other—/
"Canderous," Ashi interrupted immediately.
The Mandalorian smiled, and Bastila glared as Ashi beckoned him over. "I'll be back, Z," she added. "Promise."
He nodded, convinced: she wouldn't break her word to him. Ashi gazed up at him apologetically, gave a final brisk nod, and then turned and walked away.
As soon as they left the village, she began to walk back to the Ebon Hawk. Canderous was disappointed, but she reminded him that once they went down to the Shadowlands, they'd be staying there for a while—they'd want backup.
As soon as they stepped onto the Ebon Hawk, Mission was there, her face slightly puzzled. "Hey… what're you guys doing back so soon?" Then, face creasing in worry at Ashi's awkward expression, and the lack of Wookiee, she asked, "And, um, where's Z and the princess? Why aren't they here? What happened, Ash?"
Carth and Juhani entered, just as Ashi began uncertainly, "Um, Mission, did Z ever tell you why he left Kashyyyk?"
Slowly she explained about Chuundar and slavers and madclaw, and the current hostage situation. Mission's face grew more distressed as she went. Finally, when Ashi was finished, she burst out, "What's gonna happen to him now? They're not gonna kill him, are they?"
"Doubt it," Ashi replied calmly. "That raises suspicion, and besides, he wants us to do as he says in the Shadowlands. Z alive gives him leverage." She grinned. "I'm considering letting him keep the brat, though."
Mission laughed, partly appeased, but then frowned. "But you're gonna save him soon, right? You can't let them keep him there! What if…" She broke off, swallowing hard. "What if they decide they don't need him alive anymore?"
Ashi grinned wickedly. "Then we kill Chuundar and take the Star Map by force. No one's going to kill Z, Mission, I promise." Mission nodded slowly.
"Okay," she said. "I want to come help you find the Star Map."
Ashi's eyes widened, and she shook her head firmly. "Oh, no. Have you ever seen the Shadowlands, kid? Because they're full of things that like to eat people. Big things," she added, stretching out her arms, "with a lot of teeth. There's no way in hell I'm taking you there."
Mission crossed her arms indignantly. "How come? I was good on Taris, right? I can help! And Big Z's my best friend; I'm not just gonna sit here and wait for you to rescue him! You gotta let me come, Ash!"
"No," said Ashi firmly. "I refuse. You can argue, kid, but it makes no difference. You're still not coming."
Mission opened her mouth to object, but then closed it miserably. "So I just, like, stay here and wait? And that's all?"
Ashi felt a rush of sympathy for Mission, but she was adamant. "Z won't thank me if I let you get eaten, kid." Mission glared, and she laughed. "Come on, be good and I'll bring you a tach or something. And anyway," she added suddenly, with a vindictive grin, "you're not the only one. Republic is staying here too."
Carth's mouth dropped open. "What?" he demanded. "No way. I'm not being a babysitter, sister."
"Hey! I ain't no kid, geezer, remember?" Mission snapped. "I don't need a babysitter!"
Ashi smirked. /It's not you; it's him/ she explained quickly in Twi'leki. /Nothing's going to piss him off more than being stuck here while I'm out saving the galaxy./ The girl's wide eyes filled with understanding.
/Gotcha/ she said, smiling widely. /So I can be annoying?/
Ashi nodded enthusiastically. /Definitely. Please./ Oh, revenge is sweet. "Juhani, Ordo, let's go," she said, reverting to Basic and beckoning, and the two followed. "Back in few days, probably," she called, stifling a grin, before hurrying off the ship.
She wasn't fast enough, though, because she heard him rushing up behind them. Go away, she thought exasperatedly, but he evidently didn't get the message, because he grabbed her arm to stop her. She sighed.
"Go persuade the gate guard to let us back through, Canderous."
"Got it," he said, raising his blaster, and set off. Juhani followed nervously. Ashi turned and scowled.
"What do you want, Republic?"
He stared. "You're making me stay here? While the rest of you go find Star Maps and go on your mission? You're leaving me to be a babysitter?"
Someone's predictable. "But you're so good with kids," she said, trying to hide a grin and failing miserably.
He was not amused. "How long are you going to make me stay here?"
Ashi tapped her chin in mock consideration. "Oh, I don't know. Until you apologize, or until hell freezes over; I haven't decided which is less likely yet." She tried to pull away, but he wouldn't let her.
"But what did I do?"
She stared at him in an incredulous kind of way, as though she couldn't believe he had actually just asked that. "That's rich. Where have you been?" she snapped. "All this time I'm busy risking my life for you guys on a daily basis, and you can't even find it in yourself to give me a damn bit of credit! It's a two-way street, Carth: you can't expect anything from me if you're being a jerk in return."
"So what do you want?" he exclaimed, throwing up his hands.
Ashi raised an eyebrow, as if it should have been obvious. "Trust," she said simply. "Think about it."
She pulled away; he didn't try to stop her, and she made her way quickly to the gate. The guard reluctantly let them through—Canderous cocking his blaster less than subtly in the background might have helped—and, at last, they began to head for the Shadowlands.
I know, I know: you were hoping for a lot more action (reasonable; it is Kashyyyk). Rest assured that it is coming, along with everyone's favorite senile non-Jedi. And I know perfectly well that was a cheap trick to take Bastila out of the picture, but really, did you want her there to begin with?
As always, r&r-- reviewers get a quote and some foreshadowing for the next chapter...